As other countries went into lockdown and postponed previously set elections in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Burundi has decided to move forward with its general elections set to hold less than a month from now.
Addressing the public in the capital of Burundi, Gitega, President Pierre Nkurunziza announced that the elections will not be delayed or cancelled regardless of the current global health crisis.
“In less than two weeks we are going into campaigns for general elections and I assure you that the elections will be well conducted,” he said.
Politicians have come forward to back government’s decision to move on with the campaign, with opposition leader and presidential candidate, Agathon Rwasa, saying, “Burundi is in a dilemma because we are supposed to come out of the political crisis through these elections despite the pandemic.” Likewise, Nancy Ninette Mutoni the spokesperson of the ruling party (CNDD-FDD) told The EastAfricanin Bujumbura, that the government was fully aware of the pandemic and had prepared safety measures for voters.
An Election of Firsts for Burundi
It is important to note that this will be the first self-financed election in Burundi following a decision by key donors to suspend direct aid to government in 2015. It will also usher in the first peaceful and democratic handover of power as President Nkurunziza is expected to step down after the ruling party CNDD-FDD selected a new candidate to run in the polls.
Former Tanzanian Prime Minister, Mizengo Pinda, is expected to lead the East African Community (EAC), elections observation mission to Burundi as the nation heads to the polls on May 20. This year’s elections will be conducted for the first time since the country promulgated its new Constitution in 2018.
Cancellation of Diaspora Voting
The foreign minister on Burundi, Ezechiel Nibigira, in a correspondence to Burundian diplomatic missions abroad, announced the suspension of diaspora voting in the general elections in response to measures set by other countries because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The current health situation characterized by the measures imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in different countries doesn’t allow the free movement to have access to the chancery.”
On May 20, Burundi will hold general elections that combine three polls—the presidential election, legislative elections and district council elections.
